Travel with Children

From llama-dotted mountains and lunar-like landscapes to boat trips through steamy jungles, Bolivia offers adventures that will leave an imprint on young travelers. Visiting Bolivia is a one-of-a-kind cultural experience, and while traveling with children poses some challenges, the rewards are great.

Best Region for Kids

A great central plaza, and mild and comfortable climate, plus dinosaur footprints and excursions to the surrounding countryside.

Tupiza

There are Wild West adventures to be had in the countryside surrounding this laid-back town, with plenty of options for day-trip excursions by horseback, bicycle or jeep. At 2850m, the altitude is manageable.

Santa Cruz

Kid-friendly outings abound, with botanical gardens, butterfly farms and zoos within easy reach of the city center. There are plenty of eating options for fussy diners as well as malls selling any items you might need.

Samaipata

Day trips to El Fuerte ruins, a pleasant climate and plenty of choice of accommodations, from campsites to hotels.

La Paz

Kids will love the children's museum and cable cars, but be sure to acclimatize carefully – it's high up here!

Bolivia for Kids

Bolivians love children, and bringing your kids will do wonders for breaking down cultural barriers. But while families can and do visit Bolivia, be prepared to grapple with a number of potential obstacles, including the altitude of the altiplano, the sometimes inhospitable climate, poor levels of hygiene and a general lack of predictability – floods, snow and bloqueos (road blocks caused by political protests) might force you to change your plans. Be prepared to be flexible.

Dining Out

Restaurants rarely advertise children’s portions, but will often offer a child-sized serving at a lower price, or will allow two kids to share an adult meal.

Chose restaurants carefully, as food poisoning and diarrhea are common occurrences.

Bakeries selling fresh bread, buns and cakes are usually a safe option, and likely to be popular with kids; consider picking up a picnic to take with you on outings.

It's a good idea to stock up on snacks at city supermarkets before venturing into rural areas.

Tap water is not safe to drink.

Safety

Unfortunately, many tour operators in Bolivia do not adhere to necessary standards of safety and accidents do happen. Reputable agencies will be happy to show you their equipment and discuss the safety measures they have in place.

Look for parks or choose hotels with gardens where kids can safely run around.

Demonstrations, roadblocks and tear gas are not uncommon. Stay away from political protests.

On the Road

Bumpy roads and long distances can make for unhappy campers. Luckily, most of Bolivia's highways have been paved, making for quicker and more comfortable road travel.

Be mindful of road traffic. Road surfaces are often bad, and cars may swerve to avoid potholes.

Buses rarely have toilets, can be freezing cold and road traffic accidents are frequent. There is also a chance that a bus could be delayed by roadblocks.

On long-distance buses, children who occupy a seat will normally have to pay the full fare.

Trains can be a fun and more comfortable option with kids.

Flying may be the best option for your family, if your budget allows. Boliviana de Aviación (www.boa.bo) and Amaszonas (www.amaszonas.com) offer frequent, usually inexpensive flights between most Bolivian cities.

Altitude

It is particularly important to consider the effects of altitude when traveling with children.

Ascend slowly, allowing time for acclimatization. If coming from a lowland area, avoid flying into La Paz.

Remember that young children may be unable to tell you if they are experiencing symptoms, so pay careful attention.

If your family experiences problems, move to a lower altitude.

Make sure your kids drink plenty of water and don't overexert themselves.

Planning

There are a few things to consider before bringing your children to Bolivia. Think carefully about what you might need, as clothing and equipment can be difficult to find outside the main cities, and are certainly more expensive.

For all-round information and advice, check out Lonely Planet’s Travel with Children.

Accommodations

Many hotels have family rooms with three or four beds.

The most family-friendly hotels are resorts, with playgrounds and pools.

Remember that nights at high altitude are bitterly cold, and not all hotels are heated; be sure to check.

In warmer, lowland areas, consider camping; many hostels have space to pitch a tent and allow use of their facilities.

Cribs, diaper-changing facilities and childcare services are only available in the finest hotels in big cities.

Feature: Wildlife Watching

Bolivia's national parks are home to a mindbogglingly diverse array of wildlife, with mammal-spotting, reptile-monitoring and bird-watching possibilities that will exceed any young animal lover's wildest dreams.

In the Amazon Basin, Parque Nacional Madidi was revealed by a 2018 World Conservation Society study to be the most biodiverse natural area in the world. The fabulous ecolodges in the area are family friendly and the perfect launchpad for jungle adventures. Animals you might see include jaguars, sloths, pumas, spectacled bears, pink river dolphins and titi monkeys. Kids will no doubt love the elephant-nosed tapirs and lolloping giant anteater.

Residents of the Parque Nacional & Área de Uso Múltiple Amboró include elusive spectacled bears, jaguars, tapirs, peccaries and various monkeys, though mammals are not always easy to spot. Agencies in Samaipata can help put together a family-friendly itinerary.

Andean species including vicuñas, llamas and alpacas, as well as flighty flamingos, can be seen in the stark mountains of Parque Nacional Sajama. It sits at a lofty 4200m, so don't attempt to visit until you are fully acclimatized. The climate is harsh and accommodations are fairly basic. It is probably not a trip you would make with young children.

More on Advice for travellers

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